It’s time to come back from hiatus! Time to get back to blogging. Since starting my MFA in Creative Writing last year, work-life re-balancing with my full time job has been a challenge. It was time to pull back for a while, and it’s been good. But I’ve missed the blog and my connection with you, so it’s time to find a way to make the blog happen again.

Rather than return as it was (why more of the same, eh?), the F-I-L-M blog is undergoing a bit of an expansion. With so much inter-connectivity in life, I’m adding some I-N-K! What that means is basically, yes, more film/tv industry topics, but also now more writing topics… for both I-ndustry N’ K-ids… which includes kids-at-heart.

So, let’s get started with a little glance back at “The Best Of” before we venture into the territory of the future. Gives you the change to re-familiarize yourself with the blog’s flavour and to introduce other friends you think would enjoy it. So, from your feedback, here are some favourites:

Spring brings the birth of a new year of nature, new possibilities and new directions… This year I am thrilled to be starting an MFA in Creative Writing. Ironically, it will mean that I will have less time for blogging F.I.L.M. about our industry as I concentrate my efforts on other, longer works.

In keeping with my life’s passion, I plan to be crafting stories primarily for children and youth… no doubt with the film industry involved in some way or another!

Please note that this new direction doesn’t mean I won’t blog at all… just not as often, and not regularly. Thank you so very much for your support and interest in my F.I.L.M. blog! I’ll keep you updated on the development of my new works.

Which one(s) catch your fancy? Something for your craft now… and something for what you plan to do in the future? Spring is a time of new beginnings. Perhaps it’s time you explored that untrodden path.

Christmas decorations are filling stores and websites. Catalogues of all types are arriving for perusing both typical and unusual gift ideas. How fun to see what’s been invented or written this year! The season of giving approaches.

When it comes to the gifts we give, we want them to be both thoughtful and meaningful. Though we give for the season, we want the gift’s spirit to last long beyond the days of the winter holidays. Know the saying about “give a man a fish vs. teach him how to fish”? How about a book that helps to teach a new career or new skills? Now there’s a gift that can affect a lifetime!

In that spirit, peruse on over to the MWP online bookshop/catalogue of film industry books at: http://www.mwp.com. What skills and inspiration might you be looking to share this season?

We say “the biz” or “the business” when we mean to say “the film industry” or “show business”. Funny how we shorten it to refer only the “business” portion instead of the “film” or “show” portion when we are so proud that it’s a creative industry! Just goes to show you how important business activities are in this creative industry.

Look at the credits and you’ll see Producers, Executive Producers, Line Producers, Production Managers, Production Supervisors, Associate Producers, Production Coordinators, and more. All business folk covering different business aspects of the production. My book Film Production Management 101 was written to cover the business logistics side of the industry primarily for the PM and PC.

Because it’s hard to emulate real-life business situations in a school setting, I’ve just written a course outline based on my book including recommended activities and assignments to dynamically learn how to manage the logistics of production. I mean, how do you simulate the issues that arise when cost reporting a real production with real money being spent while in a school setting with equipment and labour already donated? Having designed and taught numerous seminars, courses and workshops over the years, I’m sure this course outline will help those in “the biz” of film education design and teach essential business skills for the next generation of filmmakers.

If you’re in the business of teaching film skills, download the course outline for free at MWP Books:

I have a production jacket from a sci-fi I worked on that declares: “The Future Is“… but the jacket never identified what the future was! Although I guess it means that the future is here and now.

Well, in Chicago on August 8, I’m on a panel for the conference “The Future of Story – Chicago” and will naturally be talking about the business of filmmaking. It’s going to be an information-packed set of panels for real concentrated learning on screenwriting, the businessand pitching, plus some crazy discounts on MWP Books too. Last year it was in LA, so if you’re in the Chicago area, this year it’s your opportunity to attend locally! I very much hope to see you there.

Deborah S. Patz

I'm the author of "Film Production Management 101", and have worked in many facets of the film and television industry since the mid-80s, especially managing film and TV productions. I believe in making dreams come true.

This F.I.L.M. blog is to entertain, to inspire, to mentor about the industry... especially when you only have a moment or two to spare in this busy lifestyle.